Meet the site
I-124 was one of four large minelaying submarines built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 1920s, based on the German Type UB III design obtained after World War I. In January 1942, as Japanese forces pushed south, she laid mines off Darwin and waited to attack Allied shipping. On 20 January 1942 she was detected and sunk off Darwin by the corvette HMAS Deloraine, supported by other Australian warships, US destroyers and aircraft, using depth charges and bombs. About 80 crew went down with her. She was the first enemy submarine sunk by the Royal Australian Navy and the first full-size submarine sunk in Australian waters.
The wreck lies in about 45 m roughly 50 nautical miles north-west of Darwin. In 1972 salvagers located her, hoping to recover scrap metal and supposedly valuable cargo; Japan objected to disturbance of the war grave, and in 1977 a salvager detonated explosives at the site, severely damaging the conning tower, in an attempt to force negotiations. The Navy secured the site, and it became Australia's first protected war grave. A Flinders University and NT Heritage survey released a virtual-reality model in 2022 showing the hull still mostly intact, with some degradation of the outer hull.
The site is a declared protected zone with a closed-water order and entry requires Heritage Branch permission. Given its depth, it would in any case be a technical decompression dive. It is included here because it is often asked about and to make clear that it is not open to recreational divers; the VR model is the way most people can see it.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Japanese Submarine I-124 is recorded as Wreck in Darwin Offshore & Artificial Reefs. The listed access is boat (day trip). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Japanese Submarine I-124 suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Japanese Submarine I-124 through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Not documented for recreational purposes
Location
Japanese minelaying submarine sunk on 20 January 1942, lying about 50 nm (90 km) north-west of Darwin in a declared protected zone and war grave.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
livescience.comnt.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
